He may, by a coalition with copperheads and rebels, succeed, but the simple fact that nine- tenths of them who voted for him do not agree with him, and that he only controls the other tenth by power intrusted to him by the Union party, will damn him forever.
John Sherman: “He may, by a coalition with copperheads and rebels, succeed, but the simple fact that nine- tenths of them who voted for…”
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sherman warns that the President's reliance on a coalition with opposing factions will lead to his downfall.
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The Union already embraces discordant elements enough without adding others.
If my life is prolonged I will do all I can to add to the strength and prosperity of the United States, but nothing to extend its limits or to add new dangers by acquisition of foreign territory.
The events of the future are beyond the vision of mankind, but I hope our people will be content with internal growth, and avoid the complications of foreign acquisitions.
Our family of states is already large enough to create embarrassment in the Senate, and a republic should not hold dependent provinces or possessions.





